Kyler Murray’s first start in a Vikings uniform took a nasty turn Sunday afternoon, and Minnesota was forced to turn to Carson Wentz before the first half had really settled in.
Murray opened the 2026 regular season against the Green Bay Packers by forcing a 50/50 throw under pressure, and the first pass of his Vikings tenure ended with an interception. He settled down a bit after that, hitting on three of his next four attempts, but the drive that changed everything came on 3rd and 7.
Murray broke to his right and tried to use his legs to move the chains. Once he saw the first-down marker was out of reach, he began to slide. Javon Bullard came flying in anyway, and the contact point was Bullard’s right shoulder pad and Murray’s helmet.
The hit left Murray down in a frightening scene. He ended up lying on his side in what looked like a classic fencing response, the kind of reaction often seen right after a blow to the head. Bullard was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the play.
Eventually, Murray was helped off the turf at U.S. Bank Stadium, though he was able to walk back to the locker room on his own. Minnesota ruled him out for the rest of the game, and his status for Week 2 is now very much in doubt.
With JJ McCarthy having been demoted to QB3 last week, Carson Wentz stepped in for Murray. Wentz went 1-for-3 in relief, finishing the drive Murray had started and helping Minnesota get a Will Reichard field goal.
If there are any further updates, they will be added to this article.
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